Game recap: Fever pick up first win of Caitlin Clark era with second-half rally

The Indiana Fever seek their first win of the season again as they visit the Los Angeles Sparks.

Caitlin Clark averages a team-leading 17.8 points, and Kelsey Mitchell, who was slowed by injury to start the season, has scored 17 in each of the past three games. NaLyssa Smith averages 11.6 points and a team-leading 7.6 rebounds.

'I was due.' Caitlin Clark's late 3s lead Fever to first win, ease pressure a bit

Sparks post player Dearica Hamby averages 22 points and 13.7 rebounds, while Kia Nurse adds 16.3 points on 45% 3-point shooting and Lexie Brown 14.7 points, 40% from 3-point range and 2.3 steals.

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Who could she mean?: Angel Reese celebrates win by referencing 'one player'

Final: Fever 78, Sparks 73

The Indiana Fever pick up their first win of the season after trailing by 11 points at halftime.

Kelsey Mitchell scores 15 of her 18 points in the second half. Aliyah Boston and Temi Fagbenle have 17 points and 6 rebounds each.

Dearica Hemby scores all but 2 of her 18 of her points in the first half, and adds 12 rebounds and 6 assists for L.A. Rickea Jackson scores 16. Cameron Brink, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft has 15 points and 9 rebounds.

The Fever commit just 9 turnovers and force 18 by L.A.

How many points did Caitlin Clark score?

The No. 1 overall 2024 WNBA Draft pick scores 11 points, with 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. She hits 4-of-14 shots, including 2-of-9 3s.

Fever vs. Sparks final minute

5.1 seconds: Dearica Hamby scores.

12.5 seconds: Kelsey Mitchell hits 2 free throws. Fever lead 78-71

40.5 seconds: Caitlin Clark hits a 3. Fever lead 76-71

1:00: Lexie Brown jumper. Fever lead 73-71

2:15 left 4Q: Fever 72, Sparks 66

Caitlin Clark's first 3 of the night comes with 2:25 left.

Kelsey Mitchell drives for a layup, and the Fever lead by 7.

4:18 left 4Q: Fever 67, Sparks 62

Kelsey Mitchell adds another 3 and a jumper, and she has 13 points. L.A.'s Dearica Hamby is scoreless in the second half after scoring 16 in the first.

6:04 left 4Q: Fever 60, Sparks 58

NaLyssa Smith, who didn't play in the third quarter, is set to return.

Kelsey Mitchell sinks a 3, and the Fever lead again.

Aliyah Boston's bank shot gives the Fever a 57-56. She has 17 points.

End 3Q: Sparks 56, Fever 53

The Fever force 6 Sparks turnovers in the quarter. The Fever are 3-of-16 on 3-pointers, Caitlin Clark 0-of-6.

Temi Fagbenle's 3 from the top puts Indiana ahead 50-48. She's 1-of-3 from long range this season.

Rickea Jackson's 3 with 5:35 left breaks a tie and puts L.A. on the board in the second half. Temi Fagbenle ties it at 45 with 6 minutes left.

6:13 left 3Q: Sparks 45, Fever 43

The Fever score the first 9 points of the second half over 3:47. Another L.A. timeout. Aliyah Boston is up to 13 points and Temi Fagbenle 8. Cameron Brink picks up foul No. 4 with 7:29 left and sits.

8:30 left 3Q: Fever narrow their deficit

Two quick baskets bring them within 45-38. Timeout, L.A. Temi Fagbenle starts the half in place of NaLyssa Smith.

Halftime: Sparks 45, Fever 34

The Fever have missed a lot of shots in the paint and are at 38.2% overall. Aliyah Boston has 8 points and Kristy Wallace 7 points. Caitlin Clark is 0-of-4 from 3-point range and has 5 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Dearica Hamby has 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for L.A.

2:41 left 2Q: Sparks 36, Fever 29

Seven of the 8 Fevers players to play have scored. Caitlin Clark has 4 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Indiana remains cold (38.7% shooting, 25% from 3).

L.A.'s Cameron Brink has 3 fouls and heads to the bench with 6 points and 6 rebounds. Fellow rookie Rickea Jackson has 7 quick points off the bench.

8:05 left 2Q: Sparks 23, Fever 17

Caitlin Clark goes coast-to-coast for a layup.

End 1Q: Sparks 22, Fever 15

The Fever trail by 9 but close to within 3 before the final minute.

NaLyssa Smith has 5 points and Aliyah Boston 4 for Indiana, which is shooting 33.3%. Dearica Hamby has 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists for L.A., which has 0 turnovers.

4:56 left 1Q: Fever trail Sparks early

L.A. leads 14-7 in the opening minutes. No. 2 overall draft pick Cameron Brink and Dearica Hamby have 6 points each. No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark has 2 points and 2 rebounds. The Fever are 3-of-9 from the field and trail the rebounding 6-3.

Fever vs. Sparks starting lineups

Fever: NaLyssa Smith, Kelsey Mitchell, Caitlin Clark, Kristy Wallace, Aliyah Boston

Sparks: Layshia Clarendon, Lexie Brown, Kia Nurse, Cameron Brink, Dearica Hamby

Caitlin Clark, ahoy!

Clark makes friends with sailors seated courtside.

Indiana Fever vs Sparks start time, date

10 p.m. ET Friday, May 24, 2024, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

How to watch Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks

TV: Ion

Streaming:Fubo (FREE)

Caitlin Clark stats

Through 5 games: 17.8 points, 5.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 32.5% 3-point shooting.

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever vs. the haters

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Get Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever jerseys, gear

Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark jerseys, shirts, sweatshirts, hats from Fanatics can be found here.

Tickets to see Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Tickets for Fever games are available here.

2024 Fever schedule

This is the Indiana Fever 2024 schedule, with TV info; all times are ET; ^-preseason.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Fever pick up first win of Caitlin Clark era in comeback